theoretical
About ideas and rules, not about doing something in real life.
Relating to the ideas, principles, or methods of a subject rather than their practical use or application.
Something that exists only as an idea and is not proven or real yet.
Existing only as an idea, possibility, or theory, without confirmation or practical evidence.
- Base: theoretical
purely theoretical
1only based on theory
Completely about ideas and not about real events or actions.
- The risk is purely theoretical and unlikely to happen.
- His argument is purely theoretical and lacks evidence.
theoretical framework
1set of ideas for research
A group of ideas that guide how to study or think about something.
- The study uses a theoretical framework from sociology.
- We built our research on a strong theoretical framework.
in theory
1According to ideas or plans
When something should happen based on ideas or plans, but it might not happen in real life.
- In theory, this method should work every time.
- In theory, the plan should work perfectly.
- In theory, anyone can apply for the job, but few are qualified.
- In theory, anyone can apply for the job, but in practice it’s very competitive.
in theory
2according to theory, not practice
According to ideas or rules of how something should work, not necessarily how it really works.
- In theory, the new law will reduce traffic, but many people doubt it.
- The plan sounds perfect in theory, but it will be hard to carry out.
- In theory, children learn faster with smaller classes.